Earlier this month was the MIPIM
event in Cannes. It proved to be the catalyst for any number of media
outlets, including BBC Radio 4, to “expose” this event
as a gross example of public sector wastefulness and largesse. The
whole swanky image of Cannes in March does no-one who goes there
any favours and much time is wasted on the return to the UK in claiming – “it’s
such hard work”. Well, it is hard work, but it’s also
good fun too, but you have to look for useful stuff behind the mass
of parties if you want to bring home more than a think head.
Many of the networking events are fairly unimaginative. Champagne
on a boat, or at a hotel, or a bar, or a bit of a gathering on one
of the exhibition stands. Our challenge was to give people something
more thoughtful to do. Insider held a very successful event at the
Martinez Hotel on investment strategies for English regional cities
for over 150 registered delegates from across the UK.
Manchester and Liverpoool stand out at MIPIM for one very obvious
reason. Pride. It took an outsider to notice this, we all take it
for granted. David Partridge, property developer from Argent said
UK regional cities had the advantage over European and Asian competitors
because they had an abundance of civic pride that drove their marketing
efforts and encouraged their development plans. You don’t see
it on the Stuttgart stand at MIPIM. Partridge, whose business is
developing King’s Cross in London and is active in Birmingham,
said Manchester had the edge. Professor Michael Parkinson, director
of the European Institute for Urban Affairs, said the last ten years
have been a boom time for UK cities, with Manchester and Bristol
emerging as the strongest business locations, but predicted tough
times ahead. Asked what else other cities - such as Leeds - could
do to achieve what Manchester has, Partridge added: “Clone
Sir Howard Bernstein”, before lauding the chief executive of
Manchester City Council as a strong civic leader.
Insider’s intrepid news hound Neil Tague did a sterling job
hosting some cracking round table discussions. He sniffed out the
story that Liverpool’s economic future depends on its ability
to harness investment in the Wirral and Peel Holdings’ planned £5m
scheme in the north of the city centre. The city’s executive
director of regeneration, John Kelly, told Neil at the Liverpool
stand: “Along with the continued development of the commercial
district and growth of the universities, the most critical issue
for the Liverpool city region is the extra economic capacity generated
by the other boroughs, mostly the Wirral and Peel Holdings’ plans." Council
chief executive Colin Hilton, slightly more on-message, added: “Certain
cities are good at glossy brochures talking about the city region,
but we’re more interested in progress on the ground and we’re
achieving that.”
So here’s test, from those glossy brochures. After a while
everywhere blurs into one. Can you guess where these three cities
are?
XXXXXXXX offers productive localisation and is counted among the
emerging cities for the next ten years by operators in the real
estate industry. The territory offers opportunities for any requirement...with
accessibility provided by a capillary infrastructure network.
Key business sectors: motors, electronics, agro-food.
Emerging sector: Creative industries
XXXXXXXX is cemented on the global stage as a top 10 European business
location. The choice and affordability of property being a testament
to the city region's unparalleled success.
Key business sectors: financial services, food and drink, aerospace
Emerging sector: Creative industries
XXXXXXXX is the silent star of the xxxxxxxxx economy. The region
is known for
its industrial base, but 80 per cent of the population now work in
service industries. There are close relationships with universities.
Key business sectors: motors, financial services.
Emerging sector: Creative industries
Michael Taylor
Editorial director,
Insider
0161 907 9709
www.insidermagazine.co.uk
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